Peter To Rot – Martyr for Holy Matrimony

Peter To Rot, the martyr of marriage, a married man, raised to the Altar in giving his life for the Holiness of Catholic Matrimony.  A Blessed for a time such as this; a time of turmoil in the Church, of confusion that could be set aright by a man such as this, Peter To Rot.  He sacrificed his very life for the honour of not only his marriage to his 16 year old young love, Paula La Varpit, but for the dignity of his Catholic Sacrament, the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  He was a martyr for his wife, for his faith, for his Church, for his Lord.  And today what do we see, but marriage trampled underfoot, desecrated by the defender of the vow, if there is one that still exists.  A John Baptist of his time, Peter To Rot took a stand for his faith in the face of an occupying army, a fierce and ruthless tyrant hell bent on extinguishing every and any vestment of the Catholic faith within its grasp.  And knowing full well his fate that awaited him, he pushed forward with supernatural and heroic faith, to leave behind his beloved and three little ones he held so dearly in his heart. 

I’m sure To Rot remembered the words of Father Laufer as they echoed in his mind, “To Rot, I am leaving all my work here in your hands. Look after these people well. Help them, so that they don’t forget about God.”  All the missionaries were imprisoned at Vunapope when the Japanese landed in Rabaul,  New Guinea, and Peter was left as the only spiritual leader of the Catholic people.  As the invading Japanese began to lose the war they felt threatened by the worship of the locals led by Peter To Rot, and started to persecute the Christians for gathering in caves for their Sunday worship.  Soon afterward they would pass that dreadful law, in an attempt to gain favor with the people, that a man could take a second wife.  Peter of course would begin to object and reprimand those who would do the polygamous deed.  It would eventually cost him his life. 

 “I am here because of those who broke their marriage vows and because of those who do not want the growth of God’s kingdom.”  ~ Peter To Rot

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/1995/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19950117_port-moresby_en.html

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7611

http://www.voiceoftorot.com/news/modern-day-saint-peter-torot-martyr-for-marriage/

http://www.foryourmarriage.org/married-saint-of-the-month-blessed-peter-to-rot/

http://saintsresource.com/peter-to-rot/

http://australia.mscmission.org/other-projects/reviewsinceregiftofself-blessedpetertorotbyfradrianmeaney

http://catholiclane.com/bl-peter-to-rot-%E2%80%93-defender-of-matrimony/

http://www.aleteia.org/en/religion/article/blessed-peter-to-rot-the-martyr-who-died-to-defend-marriage-5881605398724608

~ Damsel of the Faith